Alumni Spotlight: Lindsey Starrett ’06

Alumni Spotlight: Lindsey Starrett ’06

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Lindsey Starrett ’06

Hi everyone! I'm Lindsey Starrett, MMU class of '06. I'm married to Chris Starrett (also '06). We have 3 kiddos and live in Grinnell.

On a very early day in my MMU life, a professor told our whole class that we weren't there to learn facts and figures. No, rather we were there to learn how to think. This statement has stuck with me ever since. It rang so true with me then, and even now. Life is full of constant education. If you learn how to think, you'll have the keys to success.

When I first spoke to my tax prof. at MMU about going after my CPA, she was beyond encouraging and mentioned that I could "hang out my own shingle". I was young and clueless and didn't even consider the option at the time. But, it stayed in the back of my mind...

Fast forward a few years, and I had the amazing opportunity to do just that as a partner at TL Baker & Co. We started the firm in 2011 with 4 people. In 2019 we will be adding team member 15. We've grown and evolved over the years.

I've grown and changed personally as well. This ever-changing, awesome adventure is more than I ever dreamed it would be. And we have the most amazing group of people here at TLB. The future is beyond bright and I can't wait to see what is in store for us!

If there's one thing I wish I'd done differently while at MMU, it'd be making a point to travel. One of my roommates was an exchange student here, another spent a semester abroad. You'd think I'd have caught on to that... I've been working on making up for this ever since.

Okay, so maybe I've made up for it. But I don't think I'll ever stop traveling. Experiencing the world all over the place is a grand thing and I encourage everyone, young and old, to do it. I feel so much can be learned thru experiencing different cultures, food, and environments, in the states and all over the world!

I was incredibly blessed to be able to attend MMU with a scholarship that paid about half of my tuition. And I have to remind myself of that regularly. What good are we as Alumni if we don't give back? Sponsor the future generations, support the programs and ways of teaching that MMU offers (which in my biased opinion are unique and superb!).

Yes, I'm still paying student loans off. But I'm also writing (albeit small) checks every so often to MMU, and am proud to drive a vehicle with MMU plates (#TAXHERO). And proud to own and wear an MMU alum shirt. And proud of where I came from; my education mattered and affects who I am today both in my career and in my personal life.

I hope that we can pass on the amazing experience and core values that MMU represents. Give back whenever, however you can, and always be proud of where you came from.